Spaghetti Pie

By Jessica Swartz April 28, 2023 29 mins read 85 Views

With this recipe for spaghetti pie, you can say goodbye to the boring leftovers. With a layering of vegetables sauteed and a quick finishing of cheese, give your leftover spaghetti a lasagna makeover. Serve spaghetti pie as a fun and easy way to reinvent your dinner.

Photo credits: Andrea Gralow

This recipe for spaghetti pie is a mix between a pasta frittata, and a rigatoni pies. This is a family-friendly deep dish pasta pie! You can upgrade leftover spaghetti and sneak in some veggies, both of which are a plus. Two wins in one meal? Yes, please!

Do not get me wrong, I love leftover spaghetti. I cook a large batch of Pasta Alla Norma, or Pasta Puttanesca for reheating all week. When reheating isn't enough, I make spaghetti pie to add a little extra flavor and oomph to my weeknight meal.

In many recipes for spaghetti pies, the vegetables and spaghetti are combined, then thrown into a baking dish and baked. I like to use pasta as "crust" for a mixture of fresh vegetables. This adds beautiful layers of flavor and texture. It's also super comforting and looks great.

You don't have any leftover spaghetti in the fridge? You can make this recipe with fresh spaghetti. Allow yourself 35 extra minutes to prepare Easy Homemade Spaghetti Sauce with 1/2 pound spaghetti. Then, follow the recipe exactly as written. Serve this dinner with a simple Lettuce Salad, and Garlic Bread.

Table of Contents

Spaghetti Pie Ingredients
Spaghetti Pie Recipe
Spaghetti Pie: Tips on how to cook it
Spaghetti Pie: What to serve with it
More Spaghetti Recipes
Spaghetti Pie Recipe

Ingredients for Spaghetti Pie

This spaghetti pie is a great weeknight meal, even though it looks like a fancy dish. All the ingredients can be found in any supermarket.

Extra virgin Olive Oil:Used for sauteing and to prevent vegetables from sticking. For this dish, I prefer a buttery, smooth variety, such as our Nocellara.
Bell Pepper:Any color bell pepper will work. You can also choose according to your personal taste: red is sweetest followed by yellow, and then green which is earthier.
Red Onion:The mild sweetness of red onions goes well with the cheeses used in this recipe. If you cannot find red onions, substitute white or yellow onions, or even shallots.
White buttons mushrooms:Mushrooms give this dish a richness of texture and flavor. You can easily find white button mushrooms and they are inexpensive. However, you can also substitute other bite-sized mushrooms such as cremini.
Zucchini : Brings a summery, fresh flavor.
Kosher Salt and Black Pepper:Seasoning enhances flavorful dishes.
Eggs:Eggs are a source of protein that helps to hold the filling together.
ParsleyI prefer flat-leaf Italian parsley because curly parsley is bitter. If you have only curly parsley, that's fine. I would reduce the amount by 1/4 to maintain a balanced flavor.
Ricotta Cheese:Adds moisture and creaminess to the filling while also holding it together.
Parmesan Cheese:It's worth spending a little extra on good Parmesan. Quality cheeses tend to have more robust flavors, so a small amount goes a long ways. Consider every ingredient as a flavor investment when it comes to cooking! The filling should have a salty, nutty flavor from a good parmesan.
Spaghetti in red sauce cooked:I used leftover spaghetti for this recipe, but if you do not have any leftovers, mix 1/2 pound of spaghetti with 2 cups Easy Homemade Spaghetti Sauce.
MozzarellaLike in lasagna, the top layer of cheese melts and turns golden. This takes the dish to a new level. I like a low moisture mozzarella because it isn't as watery.

How to Make Spaghetti Pie

This is my version of pasta frittata. This recipe looks complicated, but is actually quite simple. Sauté some vegetables, add eggs to hold it all together, then bake in the over.

Prepare:Heat the oven to 375degF. Position a rack at the center. Prepare an 8-inch round springform pan by brushing the sides and bottom of it with olive oil. Chop the bell peppers and white button mushrooms. Red onions, zucchinis, and parsley to make 1 cup of each. Set aside 1/2 cup of grated parmesan.
Cooking the vegetables: Heat a medium nonstick pan on medium high heat. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add the bell peppers, red onions, mushrooms and zucchini once the oil has shimmered. Season with kosher and black pepper. Cook the vegetables, occasionally tossing, for 5-7 minutes. Remove the pan from heat and place aside.
Whip the eggs. In a large bowl, whisk two eggs with a pinch of black pepper and kosher sea salt. Add the grated Parmesan and 1 cup ricotta. Mix well. Mix well. Add the spaghetti and coat with the ricotta.
Layering the pie: Spread the half spaghetti on the bottom and press it down. Then, add the remaining spaghetti to the top.
Bake your pie: Cook on the middle rack of the oven heated until you see some colour and crispy edges, approximately 20-25 minutes. Remove the pan and sprinkle with mozzarella shredded (I use approximately 1/4 cup). Watch the cheese melt in the pan by returning it to the oven for a few minutes.
Cool down and serve: Remove the pan from oven and let the pie sit for 5-10 minutes. Remove the springform carefully, then slice and serve.

Tips on Cooking Spaghetti Pie

Spaghetti pie makes a great weeknight meal, but it can be made even more impressive with a few simple tips.

To prevent your pasta from becoming mushy, cook it to al dente. Doing so will keep the pasta firm in your oven. Leftover pasta will be perfect because it loses moisture as it cools and gets firmer. Use freshly boiled pasta that is just shy of being al dente.
Start with a tasty red sauce. This dish is made even more delicious by a flavorful sauce. You're in the right direction if you have leftover spaghetti from a local restaurant. You can also make your own marinara sauce with our Easy Homemade Spaghetti Sauce Recipe.
Mix the spaghetti thoroughly. Mix the spaghetti well.
Let the pie cool down before cutting. The pie will set better if it is allowed to cool.

What to serve with Spaghetti Pie

This recipe is so good that you don't need any sides. This recipe is packed with vegetables and very filling, so you can consider it a complete meal.

Serve something crunchy and refreshing to add variety to your meal. Radicchio Salads, Lemon Parmesan Lettuce Salads, and Red Cabbage Salads are all excellent choices. These salads will add vibrant color, flavor and crunch, which will balance the pie.

More Spaghetti Recipes

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Shrimp and Polenta
Asparagus Salad
How to Mince Garlic

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Spaghetti Pie

This easy vegetarian recipe gives leftover spaghetti a new lease of life. This weeknight meal is transformed into a special treat with layers of spaghetti, three types of cheese, and a variety of fresh vegetables.

Intro Course

Cuisine Italian

Diet Vegetarian

Prep time ten minute

Cook Time 15 minutes

Resting time five minutes

Total time forty Minutes

Servings

Calories 192.1 Kcal

Author Suzy Kardsheh

Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more for coating
1 cup chopped bell pepper, 1 small bell pepper
1 cup 1 red onion
1 cup chopped White Button Mushrooms
1 cup chopped zucchini, 1 small zucchini
Kosher Salt
Black pepper
2 large eggs
1 cup chopped Italian parsley leaves
1 cup (8 ounces) ricotta cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
1/2 pound leftover cooked spaghetti in red sauce
1/4 cup grated mozzarella,

Instructions

Prepare the oven by heating it to 375 degrees F and placing a rack at the center. Brush a little oil on the bottom and sides of an 8" springform pan.
Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to a medium nonstick pan set on medium high heat. Add the bell peppers, red onions, mushrooms and zucchini once the oil starts to shimmer. Season with black pepper and kosher sea salt. Cook the vegetables, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 7 min. Take the pan off the heat.
Whip the eggs. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and a pinch of black pepper. Add the parsley and ricotta. Add the leftover spaghetti and mix to coat. Mix the spaghetti leftovers with the remaining sauce.
Layer the pie. Spread half the spaghetti in the bottom of your prepared pan, and press it down. Spread the vegetables on top but do not push them to the edges of the pan. Leave a border of 1 inch spaghetti. Add the rest of the spaghetti to top.
Bake the pie on the middle rack for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are crisped and the color is a bit darker. Then, carefully remove the pan and sprinkle the shredded cheese on top. Return the pan to the heat for a few minutes, while watching the mozzarella melt.
To cool and serve, remove the pan from oven and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Then carefully remove the springform. Slice and serve.

Video

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Notes

This recipe uses leftover spaghetti, but you can also make it fresh and follow the recipe exactly as written. Combine 1/2 pound spaghetti with 2 cups pasta sauce of your choice.
Choose a low-moisture, firm mozzarella that melts and tastes delicious, without becoming watery.
Waterlogged mushrooms can be caused by running water. Fill a bowl of cold water if your mushrooms are dirty. Add the mushrooms, gently swirling to remove dirt. Drain immediately.
Browse our store for quality Mediterranean ingredients such as olive oil, honey, jams, and spices.

Nutrition

Carbohydrates: 14.9g

The Mediterranean Dish first published Spaghetti Pie.

By: Suzy Karadsheh
Title: Spaghetti Pie
Sourced From: www.themediterraneandish.com/spaghetti-pie/
Published Date: Fri, 28 Apr 2023 12:00:00 +0000

Frequently Asked Questions

What foods aren't allowed in a Mediterranean diet

Certain food groups are not included in a Mediterranean diet. Certain foods shouldn't be eaten to maintain the health benefits associated with this dietary pattern. Although these foods are fine to eat occasionally, they can cause problems for your health if you eat them regularly.

Whole-grain breads and starches (such as white bread, sugary breads, and other highly processed baked goods) are not allowed on a Mediterranean food plan. These items are rapidly absorbed into the body as sugars and can cause weight gain. These items are also less nutritious than whole grain options such as millet or quinoa.

Other sugars are also included in this category. Avoid sweetened drinks such as soda, tea, and juices that contain added sugars. These will not support weight management, healthy nutrient profiles, or weight management.

Red meats and processed meats are not recommended for Mediterranean-style meals. Red meats as well as processed meats are high in saturated fats. This raises the risk of heart disease and other metabolic syndrome-related illnesses. Due to the association of nitrates with cell damage responses within the cells, processed lunchmeats may raise cancer risk. Dairy products should not be eaten regularly because some cheeses contain a lot of saturated fats. Other than feta, feta is low in saturated fat.

Finally, fish ought not to be consumed beyond three times per week according to reliable estimates by nutrition experts who advocate for adhering strictly to certain limits depending on the type of fish being served up during mealtime plans - choose wisely which types you consume as some may contain mercury issues which diminish its healthful value impacting its nutritional intake benefits overlooked in most cases otherwise stated upfront when researching general information on particular seafood varieties commonly found strewn across local deli displays seen regularly at markets worldwide today.

Is the Mediterranean Diet gluten-free possible?

Yes, you can adapt the Mediterranean Diet to be gluten-free. You don't have to eat whole grains of carbohydrates like wheat or barley. Gluten-free grains such quinoa and millet can be added to your meals. Additional gluten-free options include fruits like melon, pears and fresh vegetables as well as legumes, nuts, seeds and nuts. For added protein sources such as dairy, choosing lactose-free products is sometimes beneficial for individuals intolerant to milk and gluten. You might also consider making porridge as an alternative to oats, eating baked salmon with potatoes, or bean soup for lunch, and roasting vegetables with herbs as dinner.

Is it expensive to eat the Mediterranean diet?

The Mediterranean diet can be very affordable with readily available ingredients. Many staple foods are found in local grocery stores or farmers' markets. But, it can be more expensive to shop for organic products or high-quality protein, as well as special items such extra virgin olive oils. It is important to set aside a budget for your meals so that you can plan your meals accordingly. You can also save money by using leftovers and bulk freezing food items such as fish and grains.

Statistics

One small study suggested that swapping one-half of your serving of a high-glycemic starch (like rice) with lentils helps lower the glycemic response by 20 percent. (everydayhealth.com)
1g sugar Benefits Rich in heart-healthy polyunsaturated fats, these nuts may also favourably impact your gut microbiome (and thus improve digestive health) and lower LDL cholesterol, according to a small study that included 18 healthy adults. (everydayhealth.com)
Choose fat-free or 1% milk, yogurt, and cottage cheese. (my.clevelandclinic.org)
In one study, the healthiest eaters at age 50 had a nearly 90% lower risk of dementia than those with the least healthy diets. (heart.org)

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How the Mediterranean Food Diet Can Help You Lose Weight & Feel Great

The Mediterranean Diet is a diet that emphasizes healthy fats as well as whole grains, legumes, fresh fruits, and vegetables. There are many health benefits associated with it, including improved blood lipids and glucose control, reduced risk of certain types and cancers, better cardiac health, improved cognitive function, weight management, and better overall health. A few tips can help make the transition to a Mediterranean lifestyle easier. First, stop eating high-calorie snacks, such as chips, and start eating nutrient rich vegetables instead. Learn how to add spices or other foods derived from nuts, fruit, and vegetables to your diet. To increase your satisfaction after meals, you can incorporate grains, legumes, high-fiber foods, and other high-fiber ingredients. Following these steps will help one enjoy their food while pursuing a healthier lifestyle and potentially additional health benefits such as a longer lifespan and higher quality of life.